Car chemicals
Car wash and wax, polishing, interior care, adhesives and body repair paints. Choose touch-up paint by the paint code on the body's type plate. On the shelf: Motip, K2, Moje Auto and Carplan.
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Car care to start with
Which product for which job
Wash in two stages: snow foam applied with a pressure washer loosens the dirt, then car shampoo and a wash mitt remove the rest. Wash more often in winter, as road salt attacks the paint and underbody. Dry with a microfibre towel to avoid water spots.
Wax and quick detailer leave a protective layer on the paint that water and dirt run off more easily. A quick detailer goes on a clean surface in minutes, while hard wax lasts longer but takes more work. Polishing compound removes dullness and fine scratches, and stone chips are covered with touch-up paint matched to the car's paint code.
Inside, use a dashboard care product on plastic and the dashboard, an upholstery cleaner on fabric and a leather care product on leather. Clean the glass separately with a glass cleaner to avoid streaks. In winter, keep a de-icer for the windows and a lock de-icer in the car.
Frequently asked questions
Find the car's paint code: it is usually on a sticker on the driver's door pillar, in the engine bay or in the boot. Choose the touch-up paint by that code and the car make. Before painting, clean the spot with a degreaser and try the paint somewhere hidden first.
Better not. Washing-up liquid removes grease well, but it also strips the wax and protective layer. Car shampoo is made for automotive paint, and many already contain wax.
Wax is easy to apply and gives a deep shine, but the protection usually lasts from a few weeks to a few months. A ceramic coating is harder and lasts longer, but it needs careful preparation: the car must first be washed, decontaminated and, if needed, polished.